Adea
The look on Devin’s face clearly told me I didn’t have an option. Shane wasn’t the only one to have changed. I noticed this at the meeting but my focus was mainly on his Alpha. Since the meeting, Devin had buzzed his black hair short. His lip was pierced and a small silver ring looped over his bottom lip.
I hadn’t seen it before but now that I could look at him up close, he had a black sleeve of skulls and flames that started at his right wrist and went up to his shoulder. He’s wearing white slacks and a loose silk tank. A silver chain hung from his neck.
“I don’t care what Alpha is or isn’t. He knows that perfection takes time and this,” Beka said as she waved her hand up and down my body, “is perfection. I don’t like to be rushed.” She has her hand on her hip and she’s glaring at Devin.
My eyebrows raise. From what I remember of Beka, she was always bowing and doing whatever she could to please Shane. This was the exact opposite of how she used to act and I hated to admit that I was liking the new side of her. Although, I had no doubt in my mind that she still had a huge weak spot for Shane.
“We’re all done now, so, I’ll be right down,” I said. I started to turn back to the mirror when Devin spoke again.
“Ah, no can do there, Luna. I’ve been sent here to escort you downstairs.” He had a smile on his face but it didn’t meet his eyes.
“Does he think that I’m going to get cold feet and run away? Or that I’ll get lost along the way? This isn’t my first time here, you know?” I asked. I don’t bother to hide my annoyance.
“I wouldn’t know. I don’t question why Alpha Shane does the things he does. It’s not my place. I’ve been given a direct order from my Alpha and I’m following it,” Devin said.
Goddess, he was as irritating as ever. He doesn’t budge from where he stands. He stares at me as if waiting. Hoping I’ll obey, hoping I’ll disobey. I stare back defiantly for a moment before giving in.
Devin holds out his arm for me and I have no choice but to close the distance between us and take it. He patted my arm with his other hand and I wanted to hiss, actually hiss at him. I was not happy as he led me out the door.
He set the pace which was surprisingly slow. My gaze wandered along the wall as I tried to avoid looking at him. We walked in silence and I was hoping we wouldn’t talk to each other the rest of the way down.
“What changed your mind, Ady?” Devin asked.
Well, there goes that idea. My hopes for silence were quickly dashed. Devin had always been smart and attentive. There wasn’t much he missed. He was calculating and had a great memory to boot.
“My mind about what Devin? The dress? The makeup?” I asked, pretending to be oblivious. He gave me. a look that told me he didn’t believe my act for one minute.
“What made you change your mind about Shane? What made you leave your Goddess-given mate? What made you want to come back here and play Luna?” He asked. Right to the point.
“That’s a lot of questions and we don’t have that much time.”
“What made you come here? Don’t try and give me any bullshit about always loving him or wanting him over your mate because I’m not an idiot. The mate bond isn’t something anyone takes lightly.”
“Shane wanted me,” I said coolly.
“And that was enough to make you leave your mate? I don’t believe it. Shane has always wanted to. Everyone knew this. You didn’t do anything to try and help him at the trial and you made yourself very clear at the meeting.”
“I wanted to come home.”
“Right. What about everything you said?” Devin asked.
“I meant every word. There’s a lot of hate between the two of us but there’s … there’s also more. I don’t need to explain myself to you, Devin. Your Alpha wants me here and I’m here. I thought you weren’t one to question him?”
“It’s not just the hate between the two of you that has been suspicious. I was in that meeting room. There was a lot more hate in your eyes than this more you’re just now mentioning and don’t get me wrong, I’m not questioning him. I’m questioning you.”
We’re descending the stairs now and I’m trying to figure out what to say while trying not to trip. Devin is suspicious of me and I can’t blame him. He’s a Beta, he’s doing his job. He’s probably the only one questioning why I’m here.
“Shane may be a dick and yeah, he does a lot of fucked up shit but he’s my brother. I know where my loyalties lie. I don’t know where yours lie and that doesn’t sit well with me. I’ve got his back and I won’t let anyone hurt him, including himself. Yes, he may want you here but I don’t.”
“What are you getting at, Devin?”
“I’ve got my eye on you, Ady. His obsession with you has gone on for far too long. I swear to Goddess if you betray him, no, if you so much as hurt him, or step out of line. I’ll drag you to hell. Everything he’s done to you in the past will look like child’s play compared to what I’ll do to you. Until you’re the official Luna, I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“Is that a threat?” I asked. I’m not the least bit scared of Devin but now I know that I need d to factor him into my plan.
“Oh no, that’s a fucking promise,” Devin growls into my ear. “Are we clear, Luna?”
“Crystal.”